One thing I have realized is that since my arrival I have been reading Japanese books in the wrong direction. Books in English are published front to back. Not so in Japan, where one begins at the end.

Another fact you can say you now know.

You can, a wise local has told me, read from top to bottom vertically, beginning on either the left or right side.

On the train, however, many people tend to be seen reading quasi-porn comic books called manga.